Stainless Steel SUH4-A vs SUH4-HR
Stainless Steel · SUH4 temper comparison
SUH4-A and SUH4-HR are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, SUH4: A (solution annealed) versus HR (hot rolled). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SUH4-HR is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for SUH4-A, about 40% more; tensile strength follows at 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi). In exchange, SUH4-A is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 8% for SUH4-HR, and SUH4-HR is harder (340 HB vs 270 HB). On the shop floor, SUH4-A machines more easily (28 vs 18 out of 100).
SUH4-AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
SUH4-HRChoose it when strength drives the design.
SUH4-A vs SUH4-HR: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 215 GPa31.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 83 GPa12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
SUH4-A vs SUH4-HR — frequently asked
Is SUH4-HR stronger than SUH4-A?
Yes. SUH4-HR has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for SUH4-A — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, A or HR?
QT is the default SUH4 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor HR). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, SUH4-A or SUH4-HR?
SUH4-A, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 18/100 for SUH4-HR; for welding the order is SUH4-A first (poor, 20/100) then SUH4-HR (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SUH4-A and SUH4-HR side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.